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Census Delays Could Have Big Impact On Redistricting Fights

This Week in Voting Rights: A weekly roundup of news on Americans' access to the ballot box.

A 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident, is shown in Detroit, Sunday, April 5, 2020. The Census Bureau is required by federal statute to send the president the counts that will be used to carve up congressional districts — known as apportionment — and draw state legislative districts by Dec. 31. The new coronavirus COVID-19 spread forced the U.S. Census Bureau to suspend field operations (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) — This April 5, 2020, photo shows a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau needs more time to wrap up the once-a-decade count because of the coronavirus, opening the possibility... This April 5, 2020, photo shows a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau needs more time to wrap up the once-a-decade count because of the coronavirus, opening the possibility of delays in drawing new legislative districts that could help determine what political party is in power, what laws pass or fail and whether communities of color get a voice in their states. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) MORE LESS

February 15, 2021 11:15 a.m.

For weeks now, there’s been informal signals from the Census Bureau that the redistricting data from the 2020 census could be significantly delayed and on Friday, the Bureau officially announced that Sept. 30 is the expected release date — six months later than what is the norm in a decennial census and two months later than what was anticipated when the survey was re-worked for the pandemic.

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